Eastern Point Retreat House, a grand house located on the
Atlantic shore in Gloucester, Mass., has been welcoming retreatants since 1958.
The breathtaking ocean views, rugged coastlines and tides that continually
alter the landscape lend themselves to contemplative appreciation of nature’s
beauty.

Many retreatants head down walking trails through the woods
to the ocean to enjoy the crashing waves.
Retreatants often sit out on the rocks, where they might encounter seals
sunning themselves.

The retreat center provides rooms for meditation and spaces
for prayer and contemplation. The Eucharist is offered daily in the Fireplace
Room, with dark wood paneling, a marble floor and windows looking out on the
cove. The guest rooms are located in an annex.

An eight-ring labyrinth, lovingly built
by retreatants with stones and pebbles, serves as a wonderful meditative space.
Meals are prepared with care by a food service specializing in healthful and
tasty fare.

Open year-round, the facility offers directed, guided and
weekend retreats. In January and July, the full Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius
Loyola are offered on an individually directed basis. Each year there are about
20 directed retreats, three guided retreats and eight weekend retreats.
Retreatants are male and female religious and laypeople from many different religious
affiliations. Currently, there are three Jesuit priests, a lay director and a
sister of Saint Joseph on the staff, along with trained guest directors.